NOTE: for 2012 we have pick both a peak summer week for Kings and a peak autumn week for Silvers, due to high demand we have very very little availability left on each week.
15 years of experience, yes that is how long our guide Phil Barker has been travelling and fishing at the world famous Bristol Bay Lodge. This is your opportunity to join Phil along with our other guests on this fully escorted holiday. Phil will be present from departure in the UK right through until returning back home safely.
So if you are looking for the full Alaska experience; seeing lots of different rivers and catching many species in one day (often as many as you could handle in one day or even a week), with our own full qualified guide at hand from beginning to end, then this definitely the holiday for you! There are many choices on a given day. For example, between the lower river is full of fresh silvers while the upper river with large rainbows, or there are spots on the river riddled with char alongside many other species. We have carefully selected a top weeks which will place you right in the middle of the Salmon.
Each day the fishing is scheduled the evening before and the destination board is posted showing your pilot, guides, destination, species available, time of departure and your fishing companions for the day. This then gives you plenty of time with Phil the evening before to prepare your tackle according to the area you will be heading to and the species you will be encountering - now this is where Phil’s experience really does pay off; making sure you are well planned for the day ahead and we all know what that means? More fish.
If that was not enough, after spending an evening or two at the lodge, you will depart for one of two fishing destinations that will later involve an overnight experience at one of two outpost camps. Northwest of the lodge is Birch Creek Camp. Directly west of the lodge is Rainbo Camp, located on the tidewater/confluence of two exceptional rivers. Additionally, just a short boat ride from the Bristol Bay Lodge's front door is the world-famous Agulowak River.
Bristol Bay Lodge maintains exclusive leases on the two most exceptional river fisheries in all of the Bristol Bay Region. To describe these outpost camps as just “great fishing” would be to ignore what is possibly the best overall wilderness experience in Alaska today. Picture yourself witnessing phenomenal scenery and wildlife below as you come in to land on the pond that services the camp facilities. Once landed, your guides will take hold of the airplane’s guide ropes and smoothly tail it up on shore. You unload and spend a few minutes chatting with the outgoing group about the spectacular fishing they have experienced just that day. You take a moment to look around at the stunning beauty and the serenity inherent in all of remote Alaska, then continue to the camp thinking about the amazing fishing you have already experienced that day while day dreaming about the fishing to come. You turn just in time to see the pilot lift off the water, bank and turn away from you and across a cloudless blue sky; the smile on your face is one of anticipation. You arrive at the intimate camp perched on the banks of the river and begin to chat with the guides who are already planning your next fishing adventure. Definitely a trip not to be missed!
FISHING METHODS
Freshwater Fly Fishing, Spinning
SPECIES TO CATCH
King / Chinook Salmon
Season: 14 June to 19 July
Peak: 21 June to 15 July
Weight: 10lb to 60lb
Average Weight: 20lb
|
Chum Salmon
Season: 14 June to 26 July
Peak: 21 June to 19 July
Weight: 5lb to 16lb
Average Weight: 10lb
|
Sockeye / Red Salmon
Season: 21 June to July 26
Peak: 4 July to 18 July
Weight: 4lb to 12lb
Average Weight: 8lb
|
Pink Salmon
Season: 12 July to 8 August
Peak: 19 July to 5 August
Weight: 2lb to 6lb
Average Weight: 4lb |
Coho / Silver Salmon
Season: 8 August to 12 Sept
Peak: 15 August to 12 Sept
Weight: 6lb to 20lb
Average Weight: 12lb |
Dolly Varden
Season: 18 July to 12 Sept
Peak: 25 July to 12 Sept
Weight: 1lb to 12lb
Average Weight: 1.5lb |
Rainbow Trout
Season: 14 June to 12 Sept
Peak: 21 July to 12 Sept
Weight: 1lb to 12lb
Average Weight: 1.5lb
|
Arctic Char
Season: 14 June to 12 Sept
Peak: 14 June to 4 July
Peak: 8 August to 8 Sept
Weight: 1lb to 20lb
Average Weight: 1.5lb |
Arctic Grayling
Season: 14 June to 6 Sept
Peak: 28 June to 2 August
Weight: 1lb to 3lb
Average Weight: 1.5lb
|
Note: these figures are complied with catch reports over 5 years, however they can be effected by adverse weather.
TOUR INCLUDES
Internal Flight to lodge, all meals, all drinks (Bristol Bay Lodge), lodging, daily flyout fishing excursions (fully guided), and transportation between Dillingham and the lodge.
WHAT’S EXCLUDED
International Flights, All transfers between Anchorage airport and Hotel, local tips
OPTIONS
British Airways seat upgrades available.
VISA
Alaska operates a Visa waver programme (VWP); you are required before travel to complete an Electronic System Travel Authorisation (ESTA) online, which is compulsory for all USA Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) travellers before boarding an air or sea carrier to the USA. For full information and to apply online visit our ESTA information page.
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
No vaccinations currently required
PLEASE NOTE
All details of visa and medical requirements are correct at time of press however please check these requirements for changes.
DEPARTURE TAX
There is no additional airport departure tax when leaving Alaska
FLIGHT ROUTE AND FLIGHT TIMES
UK - Seattle (approx 9 hrs) Seattle - Anchorage (approx 3 hrs) Anchorage - Dillingham (approx 1 hr)
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
(WT/E) 2 checked in items 23 kg (C/B/F) 3 checked in items 23 kg. Airlines permit each passenger to check in one piece of sporting luggage i.e. a rod holdall, but must not exceed 23 kg.
TRANSFER TIME
Dillingham to Lake Aleknagik 40 minutes by road. Lake Aleknagik to Bristol Bay Lodge 40 minutes by large covered boats.
WILDLIFE
Moose, caribou, and brown bear can be seen throughout the summer months. Common small game and furbearers include beaver, muskrat, otter, fox, wolverine, mink, and porcupine. (Daily departures)
BEAR WATCHING
Brown bears (Ursus arctos) can frequently be seen in many of the areas. The term “brown bear” is commonly used to refer to the members of this species found in coastal areas where salmon is the primary food source and all other inland “brown bear” are referred to as “grizzlies.” Technically they are the same species.
